Signal-light.



No; 353,499. PATENTED MAY 14, 1907:

A. w. GOLLOM. SIGNA-L LIGHT.

' APPLIOATI'ON FILED SEPT. 27. 1906:

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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W z y @5., 65am/ 110.853,499. PATENTED MAY 14, 1907. l

A. W. GoLLoM.

SIGNAL LIGHT.

APPLICATION Y:FILED BBPT. 2?. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. Y

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Application filed September 27,1906. Serial No. 336,455.

T0 a/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

' Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. CoLLoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meadville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal- Lights, of which the following is a specification. f

My invention relates to signal lights, and its principal, although by no means sole application is to the headlights of railway locomotives.

My invention belongs directly to that type of signal lamps in which a colored screen or a shade is raised by mechanical contrivances to inclose or partly surround the light-giving y body.

The object of my invention is the construction of mechanism actuated by fluid pressure, usually compressed air, for raising and lowering the screen.

It is also the obj ect of my invention to produce such .mechanism having -in character and function the uality of requiring no air from the source of supply unless the screen is moved, there being no pressure present in any portion. ofthe apparatus adjacent to the screen unless the screen is in motion, or has just completed a movement into its position about or before the light.

In the use of my invention, and by reason of the preferred construction thereof herein set forth, the air is applied and then at once shut off, whether the screen is to be raised or lowered. As a consequence, no loss of power results through leakage in the apparatus or carelessness and inattention on the part of the operator, and the most economical consumption of air is attained.

The stated objects are accomplished by fashioning and associating the mechanical instrumentalities as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figure l represents a front view of the reflector of a headlight or other signal lamp, and a side view of the screen-operating mechanism, the screen being in its lowered position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, the` reflector being omitted. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l., but showing the actuating apparatus in vertical section and the screen in its raised position. Fig. 4 is an end view of the mechanism from the right 'of Fig. l.

Like letters of reference are used to designate the same parts throughout the description and drawings. l

The letter A refers to the reflector, in which is supported in the usual way a lamp B. From the base b of the lamp rise the twin parallel guide rods b. The rods are perpendicular and arranged one on either side of the lamp. The screen or shade is designated by the letter C and its vertical side edges e are formed in tubular shape and adapted to engage the guide rods and to be raised and lowered upon them.

A bell crank D has its longer arm ivotally connected with the screen by the ink d. The bell crank is fulcrumed upon the post d', and its shorter arm is pivotally connected with the operating rod E. Rod E has its remaining extremity pivotally coupled with a crosshead F by means of the pin j' projecting laterally from the crosshead, and, consequently, rod E partakes of the back and yforth movement of the crosshead. These parts will be again mentioned.

In Figs. 1 and 3 it will be noted that the bedplate-G which is suitably secured to the base of the lamp, is formed with .upwardlyprojecting parts designated, respectively, from left to right, the cylinder block g, the guide post g and the twin lugs g2, the latter being located at the right hand end of the bedplate. In Fig. 3 it is shown that there are two hollow cylinders formed in the block g. rIvhe lower of the two and the larger is marked H, and the upper one is designated J. The piston h of the lower cylinder is secured at one end of the piston rod 7L', and at the other end of that rod the crosshead F is fixed. Now, it is thought to be clear that any pressure to the left of pistonhead h forces it and attached parts to the right and by means of the operating rod and bell crank raises the screen. Furthermore, if those parts thus raised are made sufficiently heavy, as I make them, they will descend by their weight as the pressure in cylinder His relieved and will restore the parts to their attitudes illustrated in Fig. l when cylinder II is wholly exhausted. The piston rod 7b is guided by its passagethrough a suitable orifice in the guide post g.

Compressed air. is applied from any convenient source of supply by means of the hose K including the three-way operating IOO cock 7c. The hose is led by pipe 7c' into the upper and smaller' cylinder J, and by way oit the communicating duct j the air enters the larger cylinder H. The duct j is opened and closed by a slide-valve j', as best shown in Fig( 2, and the valve is connected with and operated by the sliding rod L, also guided as will be observed by passing through the post g. Upon the rod L are secured at proper points the adjustable tappets M and N which project downwardly in the path of the crosshead F and are intended to be struck and moved thereby to a greater or less extent and at predetermined positions o'l the crosshead. Asthe crosshead moves to the right it comes into contact with tappet N and closes valve j', again opening that valve when the weighty parts descend as described and restore the piston to the left end of the cylinder H.

Upper and smaller cylinder J exercises the o'I-ice of unlocking the screen-operating elements from their positions when the screen has been raised. Movable Within the cylinder is the piston jg secured at the end of piston rod j which passes through post g and is guided therein. At i-ts outermost end, being its right hand extremity as shown in the drawings, piston rod y is arranged to encounter and turn a T-shaped catch P, which is pivotally supported between the twin lugs g2 of bedplate G already described. The body 'of the catch l? is provided with a shoulder or notch p, and, for purposes of explanation, the ends of the top or cross-piece of the T- shaped catch are marked, p for the upper end lying in the path of piston rod 9'3, and p2 for the lower end disposed in the path of an extended portion f of crosshead F.

The mode of operating my invention consists in applying thev air by suitably turning the cock lc, and at once shutting the air oii and permitting that in the pipe k to exhaust into the atmosphere, by way of the escape port 7a2 of the cock. The position of piston and piston rod je of up er cylinder J is immaterial. Ii the piston 1s at its leitward position within the cylinder, the pressure sends it and the rod to the right until it strikes the end p of catch I and raises the catch. Let it be assumed that the other elements are as illustrated yin Fig. 1, that is to say, in the positions assumed when the screen is down. Duct j leading from upper or lower cylinder is open and the air enters the lower and larger cylinder forcing its rod h to the right, whereupon the extended portion f of crosshead F comes into conta-ct with the end p2 of the catch P, and, overcoming the ressure in the smaller cylinder, turns down t e notch p immediately behind the upper edge of the crosshead. Meantime, the screen has been raised as already explained, and the engagement of crosshead F and tappet N has closed the slide valve y" governing duct y'. Now, the air escapes more or less rapidly from cylin der I-I around the piston packing or by way of the small opening h2 provided for that purpose, and the screen and connections would obviously descend were they not latched in their raised position by the engagement of crosshead F and the notch ci catch I as shown in Fig. 3. .It will be noted at this stage no pressure remains in the apparatus. There must necessarily be none, lorv the reason that should the full pressure remain in cylinder J, while it is cut ofi from cylinder H when the crosshead movement closes slide valve j', in very little time the pressure in cylinder J would. become dominant and op-. erate its rod against the lessening force in the lower cylinder and release the screen when not desired. The oI'Iice of valve j is to prevent the too rapid escape of air from cylinder J. It will be understood that if the cylinder H, being charged with air under pressure from pipe k', is at once exhausted after its piston 7L has forced piston jz fully to the left, su'llicient pressure may still remain in pipe 7c to 'force piston jz to the right, thereby accidentally releasing the catch.

The intentional release of the screen is accomplished by again momentarily charging cylinder J with air by operating the cock irst to its supply position and then to its cut-ofi and exhaust position. Such action causes the piston rod js to raise the notch of the catch quickly, releasing the screen and attachments and allowing them to fall. In either operation of setting or releasing there is no continuous supplying or constant application of air, and however careless or distraught, the operator may be no air is wasted.

Having now described my invention and explained the mode of its operation, what I claim is- 1. In a signal light, the combination with the lamp, of a screen ada ted to be raised and lowered in the path of t e light, {luid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen, a catch device for holding the screen and mechanism in the raised position, and means for releasing the said catch device.

2. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised and lowered in the path of the light, Huid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen, an operating valve adapted to admit fluid to said mechanism and to discharge it, a catch device for holding the screen and mechanism in the raised osition, and means for releasing the said catc device.

3. In a signal light, thev combination with a lamp, of a screen ada ted to be raised and lowered in the pathV o the light, a catch device, Huid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen and to engage the catch device whereby the screen lis held in it's raised position, an operating valve, a valve operated by said mechanism whereby IOO IIO

the fluidis cut o'iii from the mechanism, said,

mechanism having an exhaust passage, and means for releasing the said catch device. 1 4. In a signal light, the combination with a 5 lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised and lowered in the path of the light, fluid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen and provided with-a passage normally open to the atmosphere, a catch deio vice operated by the said mechanism whereby the screen is held raised, and means for releasing the catch device.

5. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp,'or1 a screen ada ted to be raised and :5 lowered in the path o the light, a catchv device, fluid-operated mechanism` provided with an exhaust passage and constructed and arranged to raise the screen and the said catch device whereby the screen is held raised, means for shutting the iiuid ofi' from said mechanism, and means for releasing the said catch device. I

6. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to beraised and 2 5 lowered inthe path of the light, a catch device, fluid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen and the said catch device whereby the screen is held raised, and vfluid-operated means for releasing the catch device.

7. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen ada ted to be raised and lowered in the path o the light, a catch device, Aduid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to raise the screen, the said catch device being arranged in the path of the said mechanism and adapted to be actuated thereby during a portion of the operation of the said mechanism whereby the screen is held raised, and iiuid-operated means for releasing the catch device.

8. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised andloWered in the path of the light, a catch device, i'luid-operated mechanism constructed and' arranged to operate the screen and the said catch device whereby the screen is held raised, means whereby the said mechanism may be discharged, Huid-operated contrivances for releasing the catch device, and means for discharging the said contrivances. 9. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised and lowered. in thepath of the light, a catch device, iluid-operated mechanism constructed and arranged to operate the screen and the said catch device whereby the said screen is held raised, Huid-operated contrivances for releasing the, catch device, means for discharging the said contrivances, and the said Huid-operated mechanism and c contrivances being provided with means of communication whereby the fluid discharged from the said mechanism as the screen descends passes through the said contrivances.

10. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised and lowered in the path of the light, iiuid-operated screen-actuating mechanism, a catch device arrangedto be actuated by the mechanism whereby the screen is held raised, means for releasing the said catch device, the said mechanism and the said releasing-means being arranged to be simultaneously operated, the said mechanism being constructed to koverpower the releasing-means through said catch device thereby preventing the catch from becoming released, and means for discharging said mechanism.

11. In a signal light, the combination with a lamp, of a screen adapted to be raised and lowered in the path ofthe light, fluid-operated screen-actuating mechanism, a catch device arranged to be actuated by the mechanism whereby the screen is held raised, Huidoperated catch releasing means, the said mechanism and catch-releasing means being arranged to be simultaneously operated, the said mechanism being constructed to overpower the said releasing means'through said catch device thereby preventing the catch from becoming released, and means for discharging said mechanism.

12. In a signal light, the combination with i a lamp, oi a screen adapted to be raised and lowered in the path of the light, fluid-'operated screen-actuating mechanism, a catch device arranged to be actuated by the mechanism whereby the screen is held raised,

IOC

fluid-operated catch-releasing means, the said mechanism and catch-releasing means being arranged to be simultaneously operated, the said mechanism being constructed to overpower the catch-releasing means through the said catch device thereby preventing the catch from becoming released, and the said mechanism having a permanently open exhaust passage.

13. In a signal light, the combination w1' th a reciprocating element, of duid-operated mechanism adapted to operate the said element, a catch device whereby the said ele-` ment is held in a predetermined position, and means for releasing the said catch device, the said mechanism being arranged to overpower the catch-releasing means temporarily and prevent the releasing of the said element, and means for discharging the said mechanism.

14. In a signal light, the combination with a reciprocating element, of fluid-operated mechanism adapted to operate the said element, a catch device whereby the said element is held in a predetermined position, fluidoperated catch-releasing means, and means for admitting iluid to and discharging it from the said mechanism and catch-releas- IIO IIS

IZO

ing means, said catch-releasing means being inder `'andy fluid-'operated mechanism adapted tofoperate the rod, a catch device whereby the rod may be held in a predetermined poi-M sition,` a 1 catchfoperatingu cylinderl` and i'iuidoperated catch-releasing; means, the said;

mechanism-being arranged: to overpower the catch-releasing; means and' prevent"` the releasing `of the rod,` and means for dischargingl a d fluid operated catch-releasing means,l

and; 'an'l operating valve adapted to charge and to discharge theucylinderlast. mentioned;

1,7 In` asignal light, the combinationWith `the operating rod', of acylinder having ancrey i haust passage and :fluid-operatedimechanismE adapted` to operatey the rod,` an. operating valine aA valveimovedy by theisaid mechanism l.is

and; arranged" to-shut; the iuid o'Hsaidy mech,-

anism, a: catchy device'wherebyzthe rod may be held in a predeterminedposition, arcylinden andIHuid-operatedcateh-releasing;mean s, and means for dischargingl the lastfmentioned cylinder.` f

1,8; In arsignalflightythe combinationiwith the-operating rod, off au cylinderl yhaving anx` enhaustpassage and uidfoperatingfmechainism adapted` to operate therrod;` awcatch device arranged to beroper-atedrby, the said.

mechanismtwherebyvy therod maybe heldin ai predeterminedposition, ai cylindernandiiluid operatlng`- catchreleasing means, the said cat-ch devlcefbeing 'constructed and: arranged,

whereby the -said` mechanismloverpowers the said catcliz-releasmg` means` and; prevents the l release of` the.,` catch, t

119; In a; signal light, the combinatiOnWith the operating rod, of, a relatively largerk cyl,-D inder having; yan exhaust passage, anc fluidoperating mechanism adapted tol operate` the.r

rod, aacatclr devicel arranged to-` be operated: by the said` mechanisml whereby the,` rodi maybeheld: in'y af predeterminedposition, `a:- smaller` cylinder," and:` iuid-openated catch-v,`

:ing constructed. and arranged; whereby the said;mechanismv overpowers@` thea said catch,`

releasing means .land prevents the release i ofiv ythe cateln and means for smaller; cylinder. n

2,0. Inra signalI light, vthe combination withy the=`operfating rod, ofra cylinderrhavingwan; exhaust `passage and: :fluid-operated mechandischarging the ismadapted toloperate the 1ndarroperatingf` 1 valve a i valve movedy by the saidf` mechanism and arrangedato shut'thefluid off said mechanism; a catch device arranged to beopen-'- ated by said mechanism,` whereby thefrod may bel held in:` a` redetermined;position,l a

releasingfmeans, the saidf, catch:4 device be-` cylinderand fluir k;operated 'catch-releasing means,` the; saidi catch devicey beingy constructedf andtarranged whereby said: mechanism overpowersv` the. saidA `catch-releasing i meansaandprevents the releaseofv the catch,

`iadmittingf.1huid, to andiY for discharging the catch-releasing; cylinder said catchfreleasing: cylinderfhavingi a pistonrod and a piston adapted y, by its movements to cover. and uncoverthefmouth ofsaidfd'uct', theisaid istons rod1 and` rod-'operating means being adtpted` temeve thefcatch: deviceVj intopposite direc tions,andthe said device beingyconst'ructed andi arrangedy whereby `the rod-operatingA means overpowers the piston pressure inthesaid'l, catch'freleasing] cylinder."` and; shuts oit the 'fluidifromythe-rod=operatingfcylinder-.

22 Int` a signal: light', thefcombinationwithA` the operating rod, of af catchi deviee arodf operating` cylind er. (havingk an exhaust' passage and mdf-operating; means ai catch-releasin@;` cylinder, thefftwol cylinders beingL connected. by a communicating duct,f,onemouthaof` saidi duct openingfnear theehead' of said1rod=oper ating cylindenand' they other mouth. opening,` atia: distance from; thecorrespondingheadzot thev catclnreleasin cylind'erf,- meansl for ad: mittingffluidftoan :for discharging thecatch- IOO releasing cylinder, said'V catclereleasing cyli inderhaying apis'ton rodiandia piston adaptedtbyv its movements to cover-and' uncover theHmouth-oasaid duct, thesaid piston rod and` rodeoperating means being adaptedr to move the catzchgdevice in opposite directions, andi4 theisaidi device being constructed and arrangedr whereby the rooperating means-` overpowers, the piston pressure ingthefsaid cat'ehreleasing cylinderl and; shuts ofi they fluid from the rodop erating cylinder-f.

23.l l'ni asignallightf, catch-operatingzmech-- ,anismi comprising the combinationy with af catch, of afirst` cylinder) havingl a'piston and. pistonrod` arranged totmove the catch into lts disengaged position, asecond-cylinder havingr ai discharge i' passage and: a; passage in communication with therst cylinden, said secondcylinder having,` also a pistonf and pistoni rod arranged; tomove the catch into its engaged@position,u and meansfon adm1tz ting; compressed:` airv to andfor dischargingjitl from the first: cylinder:

2.4. In asignal light, catchoperatingmech anism comprisingV the combination with a catch, e o a rstA cylinder having -a piston and' iston rod4 arrangeduto move thecatch into itsdisengaged'positiom means forp admit-ting compressed airfto andforr disehargingyit from the said cylinder, aseeond cylinderI havinga discharge passage and a piston and piston l In testimony whereof I affix my signature rod arranged to move the catch into lts en- .in presence of tWo Witnesses.

gaffed position the said second cylinder beingD provided viith a passage arranged to ad- ARTHUR W' OOLLOM' mit Compressed air to the cylinder, and a /Vitnesse-s:

Valve adapted to open and Close the said pas- NTHONY ROSENBERYERS,

sage. J AMES A. WILLIAMS. 

